What Health and Exercise Professionals Can Expect from the Future of Wellness;
Skate to where the puck is going, not where it has been, is a renowned piece of advice given by Wayne Gretzky, possibly the greatest hockey player of all time. This guidance is applicable outside of the rink. The definition and importance of the Future of Wellness have evolved over the last several years and will continue to do so in 2022. It’s an important question for us to address as ACE-certified professionals who want to improve their abilities to help others: where is the wellness “puck” going?
1. In order to better envision the future of wellness, we might look at these three markers.
On January 1, 2022, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) newest modification to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) became mandatory. In this modification, burnout is no longer just a stress condition; rather, it is a syndrome conceived as the consequence of prolonged stress in the job that has not been adequately controlled. It has three dimensions that define it:
- (1) a lack of vitality or fatigue;
- (2) a growing emotional or intellectual detachment from one’s work, or a growing pessimism or cynicism about that work; and
- (3) a feeling of helplessness and futility. It is important to note that the term “burnout” is exclusive to the workplace and should not be used to describe other types of stress.
Average corporate Future of Wellness budgets now sits at $6 million, with major firms (those with 20,000+ workers) spending an average of $10.5 million. In fact, according to the results of the 12th Annual Employer-Sponsored Health & Well-Being Survey, the majority of businesses have increased their funding for initiatives that promote mental health awareness and care for employees’ dependent children, as well as stress management, better sleep, and increased resilience.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the possibilities will never be the same thanks to telehealth and the remote/virtual delivery of wellness. We now have fewer restrictions on how and when we may interact virtually. In doing so, the scalability of supplying and receiving services is no longer constrained by location, and cost/time constraints have been greatly lowered.
Moreover, there is substantial data to support the effectiveness of live video health and wellness coaching in improving patients’ physiological, behavioral, psychological, and social circumstances. Improved weight control, greater physical activity, and overall better physical and mental health were among the most notable statistically significant findings.
Among these critical indications, the ICD-11 designating burnout as chronic job stress is especially relevant. When analyzed through the perspective of NIOSH’s Total Worker Health initiative, the connection between employee health and workplace safety becomes crystal evident.
To further elevate workplace Future of Wellness to the level of importance it deserves as an aspect of occupational safety, this revised definition of burnout complements the second key indication showing that more resources are being allocated to such initiatives. There is an opening when we consider the pressing demand and our capacity to provide it via health and wellness coaching.
2. How can you take advantage of these changes to reach more customers?
Infuse your client-facing message with language that indicates how your services boost wellbeing and well-being. Think about implementing a workplace wellness program that targets the three causes of burnout identified by the World Health Organization. Apply a problem-solution mindset by tying your answer to each “issue,” such as low energy levels, distancing from work emotions, and cynicism about or dissatisfaction with one’s work.
Put yourself in a position to take advantage of Future of Wellness to provide your services in workplace wellness and/or to become a full-time employee in one of the numerous digital health firms emerging to meet this demand. Time to become certified as a health coach by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) if you aren’t already. If you already have your certification, you may take full advantage of all the ACE Health Coach Advanced Training Program has to offer.
If none of these options seems right for you right now, you may want to think about enrolling in a Behavior Change specialist program in order to acquire the necessary knowledge and abilities. Learn more about meditation and other evidence-based strategies for relieving stress and boosting energy and a sense of well-being by perusing the plethora of free ACE articles and blogs on subjects like these.
Gretzky once said, “skate to where the puck is going, not where it has been.” The first word in this adage is an action word, therefore it’s important to keep that in mind. Only when you do anything about it is it useful to know where the puck is headed? You, more than anything else, will determine your Future of Wellness prospects. Consider your future a game of chance or a series of deliberate actions. What will you do now to set yourself up for success in the future?
Also read: 6 Ways Exercise Professionals Contribute to Public Health
